Gait Analysis
Objective: Assessment of spontaneous pain-like behaviors by analyzing locomotor patterns and gait abnormalities as non-stimulus evoked nociception measures in rodents
This is a Gait Analysis protocol using Rodents (mice and rats) as the model organism. The procedure involves 5 procedural steps, 4 equipment items. Extracted from a 2017 paper published in Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience.
Model and subjects
Rodents (mice and rats) • Not specified • unknown • Not specified • Not specified
Study window
Estimated timing pending
Core workflow
Animal placement and acclimation • Mechanical stimulus application - Manual Von Frey method • Mechanical stimulus application - Electronic Von Frey method
Primary readouts
- Presence and extent of aversive behaviors in response to mechanical stimuli
- Paw withdrawal response (positive if brisk withdrawal, licking, or shaking occurs)
- Mechanical withdrawal threshold force
- Locomotor patterns and gait abnormalities
Key equipment and reagents
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Protocol Steps
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Animal placement and acclimation
Place rodents individually in small cages with mesh or barred floor for testing
Note: Animals must be tested individually to allow proper assessment of gait and locomotor patterns
View evidence from paper
“Rodents are placed individually in small cages with a mesh or barred floor”
Mechanical stimulus application - Manual Von Frey method
Apply monofilament perpendicularly to the plantar surface of the hind paw until it buckles, delivering constant pre-determined force
Note: Plantar surface of hind paw is most commonly used; dorsal surface or abdomen can also be tested. Response is positive if animal exhibits brisk paw withdrawal, licking, or shaking during or immediately after stimulus
View evidence from paper
“A monofilament is applied perpendicularly to the plantar surface of the hind paw until it buckles, delivering a constant pre-determined force (typically 0.2–13.7 mN for mice and 5.9–98 mN for rats) for 2–5 s”
Mechanical stimulus application - Electronic Von Frey method
Apply single un-bending filament perpendicularly to hind paw with force increased by rotation of handheld device until paw withdrawal occurs
Note: Force ramp and paw withdrawal force are displayed by software post-test
View evidence from paper
“A single, un-bending filament is applied perpendicularly to the hind paw. The force is increased by rotation of the handheld device until paw withdrawal occurs. The force ramp and paw withdrawal force are displayed by the software post-test”
Mechanical stimulus application - Randall-Selitto test
Restrain rodent and place hind paw or tail between pointed probe tip and flat surface, increasing pressure until withdrawal or vocalization occurs
Note: Pressure is gradually increased until animal responds
View evidence from paper
“The rodent is restrained and the hind paw (or tail) is placed between a pointed probe tip and flat surface. The pressure is increased until withdrawal or vocalization occurs”
Observe and record pain-like behaviors
Monitor and document spontaneous pain-like behaviors including reduced ambulation, agitation, increased grooming of affected area, and vocalizations
Note: Gait analysis assesses locomotor patterns and gait abnormalities as non-stimulus evoked nociception measures. Behaviors should be scored by investigator blinded to treatment group
View evidence from paper
“pain-like behaviors which can include the withdrawal of a body part from a stimulus, reduced ambulation, agitation, an increase in grooming of the affected area, and vocalizations upon sensory stimulation”